Frame for wall openings



Aug: 3943- E. P. MILLER 2,326,549

FRAME FOR WALL OPENINGS Filed Nov. 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR -5PMH/E/T ATTORNE Aug. W, 1943= E. P. MILLER FRAME FOR WALL OPENINGS FiledNov. 2911940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR [r P MM/er? ATTORN EY PatentedAug. 10, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,326,549 FRAME FOR WALLOPENINGS Edgar P. Miller, Kansas City, Mo.

Application November 29, 1940, Serial No. 367,811

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a building construction, and more particularlyto framing for the door and window openings of a building, and has forits principal object to provide a unitary frame adapted for easy andaccurate installation without the use of bucks and other secondaryframing.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a frame constructed toretain its original shape in a wall structure throughout the life of abuilding in which it is installed; to provide a frame by which a masonrywall is adapted to be automatically plumbed, thereby assuring a straightwall with a minimum skill and eifort on the part of the mason; toprovide a frame equipped with unitary plaster and stucco grounds andarranged for effecting a weather-tight seal; to provide a frameconstruction wherein the side jambs are arranged for firm support on awall structure to support the upper wall directly upon the header jambof the frame, thereby avoiding the use of lintels and like masonrysupports; to provide a frame constructed with drain channels within theouter casings; and to provide for adequate caulking of the outer casingswith respect to a wall.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a frame constructionthat permits installation of a completely glazed sash after completionof a building, as distinguished from the present method of installingmetal sash; and to provide a simple, weather-tight mounting of the sashin the window-frame.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, ashereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure,the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a wall equipped with awindow-frame embodying the features of the present invention, andillustrating the frame prior to installation of the sash j Fig, 2 is ahorizontal section through the wall and window-frame and showing thesash installed.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of a side jamb of the window-frameand adjacent ends of the sill and header members shown in spacedrelation prior to assembly.

. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a completed joint between oneof the side jambs and sill.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a window-frame constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, and which includes side jambs 2-3, a header jamb l, and asill 5. The members 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all substantially channel-shapedand include jamb face portions 6 of a width corresponding to the wallthickness and have outer portions 1 ofiset outwardly from inner portions8 by an ofisetting portion 9 forming a substantially flat seat orshoulder extending transversely and at substantially right angles withthe portions 1 and 8.

Extending laterally and outwardly from the outer edges of the portions 1and 8 are casing-like flanges l0 and H spaced from the outer and innerfaces of the wall structure distances corresponding to the plasterthickness on the inner side, and a stucco thickness on the outer side,or to accommodate a caulking material later described, The peripheraledges of the casing portions terminate in inwardly angularly extendingflanges l2 and i3, with the edges i4 and I5 thereof spaced apart asuflicient distance to receive wall blocks snugly therebetween andprovide a gauge for automatically plumbing the wall during theconstruction thereof as later described. The flanges l2 and i3 also formpockets lB--i| to key the wall finish such as the plaster or stucco orreceive the caulking material. The outer flanges i2, spacing the casingportions [0 from the wall, maintain drainage channels l8 whereby anymoisture which might seep into the wall may readily drain therethroughand discharge through outlets l9 at the lower ends of the side jambs.

The portions 8 of the frame members are provided with spaced apertures28 through which fastening devices 2| are extended for attaching thesash, as later described. The upper ends of the side and header jambsare mitered as indicated at 22 and 23, and welded together to form arigid, weather-tight joint. The lower ends of the side jambs are cut onright angles to form a foot or base 24 and 25, adapted to seat directlyupon the masonry structure below the window to support the load of thewall structure above the window opening directly upon the header jamb,thereby making separate lintels unnecessary.

The sill 5 has the upper web portion 26 thereof, which corresponds withthe portion of the side jambs, sloping downwardly, as clearly shown inFig. 3, to drain the water therefrom in the manner of an ordinary sill.Otherwise the crosssectional shape is identical to the jamb members ofthe frame. The ends of the sill are notched on the inner side of theframe from the offset portion 9 through the inner casing flange orapron, as indicated at 21, whereby the end of the sill ar adapted to fitsquarely against the portions 7 and 8 of the side jambs and to be weldedthereto as indicated at 28 in Fig. 5.

When the window-frame is thus formed and welded together, it is ofsolid, unitary construction and adequately retains its shape so a toprevent warping or binding of the sash installed therein and toadequately support the load of the upper wall structure without the useof bucks,

" secondary framing, 'or-lintels, thereby not only are laid up to thebottom level of the window openings and a bedding mortar 30 is placedthereon. The unitary frame is then placed on the bedding mortar so thatthe foot portions 24 and 25 of the side jambs rest squarely upon theupper face of the blocks. The frame is then plumbed perpendicularly andtemporarily supported in position, usually by bracing extending from theheader jamb to the floor structure (not shown). The flanges l2 and I3 ofthe inner and outer casing portions of the frame then form gauges orguides to receive and align the blocks therebetween as the wallconstruction progresses upwardly in the direction of the header jamb ofthe frame. The wall construction is thus automatically plumbedincidental to plumbing of the window-frame so that it may be constructedwith a minimum skill on the part of the mason. When the top of thewindow-frame is reached, the upper blocks may be placed directly uponthe portion 1 of the header jamb so that it serves the purpose of alintel.

When the building is plastered, the plaster 3| may be applied directlyto the inner face of the wall and pressed into the pocket I! formedbetween the wall and the flanges l3 to a thickness flush with the outerface of the inner casing portions of the frame, as clearly shown inFigs. 2 and 3, the plasterer using the inner faces of the casingportions as grounds.

If the outer face of the wall is to be stuccoed, the stucco may beapplied in a similar manner, using the outer casing portion of the frameas grounds, or the pockets It may be filled with a suitable caulkingmaterial 32 as shown in Fig. 3, to provide a weather-tight joint betweenthe frame and the face of the wall.

Attention is directed to the fact that the space l8 forms a. drainagechannel across the top of the frame and down the sides thereof, wherebyany water seeping into the wall or under the frame is free to drainthrough the outlets is.

After the construction is completed, the frame 33 of the window-sash,carrying the glazed panes 34, is applied within the window-frame so thatthe marginal flanges 35 seat against the offset portions 9 of the frameand the webs 36 telescope within the portions 8, as clearly shown inFigs. 2 and 3, a suitable caulking material 32 having been insertedbetween the portions of the window and sash frames. The sash frame isthen secured by fastening devices, such as drive screws 21, to completethe job.

When the frames are used in climates that cause a metal frame or windowto sweat and moisture to collect on the sill of the window, I haveprovided a drain 3! consisting of an opening 38 in the member 2 locatedon a level with the sill 8 of the frame and connected by a tube 39 withthe drainage channels.

While I have particularly illustrated and described a window-frame, itis obvious that a door or like frame may be constructed in a similarmanner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a unitary framefor wall openings which is readily installed without the use ofsecondary frames and which facilitates plumbing of the wall structure.It is also obvious that the frame is constructed to adequately supportthe load of the wall above the frame and to retain it shape throughoutthe life of the'building. It is also obvious that I have provided awindow-frame construction that is weather-tight with respect to the wallstructure when the installation is completed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A frame for the opening of a masonry wall adapted to be plastered onat least one side including, side jambs of channel-like cross-section toform a jamb portion and easing portions spaced from the wall a distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of the plaster, and inwardlyextending flanges on the casin Portions to engage the masonry elementsof said wall, said casing portions on the plastered side of said wallhaving plaster ground portions extending directly from said jamb andadapted to lie in the plane of the finished surface of the plaster toform a ground for gauging thickness of said plaster applied to the wall.

2. A frame for the opening of a masonry wall adapted to be plastered onone side including, side jambs of channel-like cross-section to form ajamb portion and casing portions spaced from the wall a distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of the plaster, a similarly shapedheader connecting the jambs, and inwardly extending flanges on thecasing portions of said jambs and header to engage the masonry elementsof said wall, said casing portions on the plastered side of said wallhaving plaster ground portions extending directly from said jamb andadapted to lie in the plane of the finished surface of the plaster toform a ground for gauging thickness of said plaster applied to saidwall.

3. A frame for the opening of a masonry wall adapted to be plastered onone side including, side jambs of channel-like cross-section to form ajamb portion and casing portions spaced from the wall a. distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of the plaster, similarly shapedheader and sill members connecting the jambs, and inwardly extendingflanges on the casing portions of said lambs, header, and sill membersto engage the masonry elements of said wall, said casing portions on theplastered side of said wall having plaster ground portions extendingdirectly from said lamb and adapted to lie in the plane of the finishedsurface of the plaster to form a ground for gauging thickness of saidplaster.

4. A jamb member'for a frame of the character described including, ajamb portion having an offset for seating a closure and having flangeportions extending at right angles from the edges of the jamb portion toform combination casings and plaster grounds for said jamb and havinginwardly extending flanges on the outer edges thereof and spaced apartfor receiving tiles composing a wall in which the frame is adapted to beinserted.

EDGAR P. MILLER.

